The diamond made famous by Marilyn Monroe after she wore it to the opening night of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is to go on sale in Hong Kong on November 27th this year.

This 24 carat, fancy yellow coloured VS2 Clarity diamond is from the same mine as the Hope Diamond which is the Galconda mine in Southern India. This famous mine has also produced many of the famous diamonds in the British Crown Jewels collection.

This famous diamond has had a turbulent history. The first recording of its existence is from the 15th century where it is documented in the collection of the ruling family of Baroda region named the Gaekwads. It is thought that it remained as property of the Maharajas of Baroda for the next 500 years although it has been claimed it has disappeared and reappeared several times. It made a definite reappearance in 1926 in Los Angeles and was later exhibited it in L.A. during the Easter Fashion Festival of 1942.

The Moon of Baroda was acquired by Meyer Rosenbaum in the 1950s. At the time Mr. Rosenbaum was the President of Meyer Jewelry Company. With the opening of the movie Gentleman Prefer Blondes and its signature blockbusting song ‘Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend’, it was the perfect opportunity for Rosenbaum to gain notoriety for the stone and pictures of Marilyn wearing the precious gem when viral worldwide…. quite a feat for the 1950s!

The beautiful stone was sold by Christie’s in New York in 1990 for $297,000.

A valuation for a Canary Yellow 24 carat pear shaped diamond would be $500,000 to $750,000 BUT it is hard to estimate what the cultural and historical significance will bring to the market.

I would expect such a gem to exceed this estimate.

Get your own Marilyn style ring with a bespoke diamond ring from Loyes. Contact us today to arrange a consultation.